Today in the studio I am aiming to get closer to finishing this large abstract in time for our forthcoming group show at local art centre St Lawrence’s. I have refrained from ‘pushing’ or forcing an end, allowing it instead to complete in its own time, working on it in stages. I started it during the series of ‘Caister abstracts’ in February. The image is also influenced by the slow destruction of the Eastern coastline of Norfolk around Happisburgh.

Perhaps it’s the restraint of the Winter months that continued into the Spring months that forced the roses to burst into bloom with such velocity this year? In any case they practically screamed ‘PAINT ME!’ as each variety staged a show across the last month.

Sometimes people are surprised I move between abstracts, landscapes and seascapes. I can’t imagine being boxed into a certain genre. I am certainly attracted more to things with an impermanent aspect. The roses stay in the burst of full power for only a few days before the petals drop in clumps. So you have to work fast even for oils. I have worked on these 3 paintings over the last month, capturing the in bloom stage first and later adding more depth to the foliage and background. I consider them ‘finished’ now; just signing and varnish to add at a later date.

The biggest compliment was paid by a bumble bee earlier this week as I was showing the paintings outdoors at a local art fair; he buzzed to each painting to the centre of the roses!

Here is a couple of links to the facebook page. Please feel free to visit the Trattoria in Stoke Newington, North London during normal restaurant opening hours to peruse the art. Its a funky Italian restaurant that will be a good match for my suitably funky abstracts.